by Nancy Jaffer | Jan 30, 2024
A discussion on the threat to horse sport from social license to operate (SLO) drew 200 very concerned people to a U.S. Hunter Jumper Association Town Hall Monday night.
Dozens of commenters pointed out the need for many changes in how equestrians operate in order to obtain political and public acceptance. A second town hall on the subject to explore it further will be held Feb. 19.
The topic is a polarizing one for a lot of people, USHJA President Mary Knowlton pointed out, “because we’re used to doing things the way we’re used to doing things. We are fiercely individual. We do not like anyone to tell us their way is better.”
But that is a dangerous standard in the era of social media and video cameras everywhere.
As Mary pointed out, “We are looking at ourselves from within our sport, where we might not agree with each other, but we sure understand what is going on. The people from the outside who are looking at us, animal rights activists in particular, they don’t understand.”
An equestrian who looks at a horse lying down in the deep pile of shavings in his stall can see that he’s comfortable. But someone from the public, who knows nothing about horses, might say, “My God, that horse is in a prison, it’s behind bars…that horse is trapped,” Mary pointed out.
What can be done about this situation that threatens the sport?
“It’s important we seize control of this topic ourselves and look for great solutions,” said Mary. Otherwise, equestrian competition will be in trouble.
She mentioned the film “Black Fish,” about how orcas were treated at Sea World.
“The public rose up, and suddenly the idea of keeping an orca in captivity was not okay.”
Mary mentioned that there are no longer pony rides in Los Angeles’ Griffith Park after animal rights activists protested what they called, “exploiting the ponies.”
Two years ago, PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) protested the use of horses in the series, “The Gilded Age” after one died of natural causes during filming. The organization urged the public to stop watching the show until horses were no longer part of the production.
This month’s U.S. Equestrian Federation’s Horsemastership clinic for juniors and Young Riders got negative publicity because of controversial comments by show jumping clinician Katie Monahan Prudent, who had been a prominent U.S. team rider. In the wake of an outcry over some of her remarks, including criticism of “animal rights activists who know nothing about training horses,” the USEF is continuing to review the matter.
An SLO example that always comes up in connection with horses is the 2021 Olympic pentathlon in Tokyo, where a coach hit a horse who had refused a jump, as the rider was crying. That was enough to end show jumping in pentathlon after this summer’s Olympics. At the 2028 Olympics, horseswill be replaced by an obstacle course competitors run on foot.
Like all the situations Mary cited, it points out the danger to the future of equestrian sports from SLO.
A new USHJA Blue Ribbon Commission will “look at our sport and make suggestions as to how we can go forward and try to do a better job,” said Mary. The panel is meeting every other week until May, when it will put out its report. Meanwhile, she mentioned, the FEI’s (international equestrian federation) horse welfare work is “a really good start.”
The European Equestrian Federation also is making a concerted effort to get on top of the SLO situation.
Attorney Dominique Torsiello commented during the town hall that “the distinction between animal rights and animal welfare is important.”
Mary explained animal rights is focused on the ethical argument over whether animals should be used by humans in the first place, while animal welfare is focused on the quality of animals’ lives.
Californian Marnye Langer noted the city of Berkeley’s onerous ordinance requiring horses to be turned out 14 hours a day was not passed, due to a technicality.
In that instance, she said “Horse people may have dodged a bullet, but many more are coming.”
That’s why it is so important to find an SLO solution, rather than “having a solution thrust upon us,” as Mary put it, noting equestrians “have to tell our story better.”
Show jumper Candice King remarked that “we have to be aware as clinicians on how we deliver our instruction.”
Mary noted that she and Katie Prudent, among so many others, “came up through a system that embraced that type of military training.”
The cavalry influenced the standard of riding in the U.S. almost until the 1960s, and many of the top trainers of that decade and several of the decades that followed were shaped to some extent by that tradition.
“It’s really hard to acknowledge that maybe we need to say things differently,” suggested Mary.
Even now, “we as a sport are not very open to the idea of science-based decision making. We came up through an apprentice-based system and we’re used to doing it the way our people in the past taught us to do it.” The new equitation science has a lot of really valuable insights, she pointed out.
One of the questions equestrians must ask themselves, Mary said, is not “could I?” but rather “should I?”
Those who think, “What they can’t see won’t hurt,” should remember there are cameras everywhere.
Her suggestions included listening to what people are telling you, take a minute and try to understand what they see. Take time for self-reflection, ask yourself where you can improve and be honest with yourself.
Terri Young expressed concern about equestrians who are “writing off non-horse people’s opinion as `They just don’t know.’ It doesn’t matter if they don’t know.”
As she pointed out. “They are vocal and have the ear of legislators.”
Commenter Molly Scriven stated, “the more we price the general public out of the sport, the more it becomes a treatise on the wealthy. The more people who are able to join and love our sport and their horse partners, the more voices of understanding we can have.”
But there are many issues that need attention in the meantime.
Sue Lyman noted that the Horse and Rider Advocates committee has tried to address several key matters, including longeing, having horses compete in too many classes, the practice of pulling shoes for under saddle classes.
“But what we put forward is always pared down,” she stated.
“I just wish people would be better horsemen.”
A commenter who gave her name only as “Sue Ellen” said that while she has been lobbying for years to stop shoe pulling done for the under saddle classes so the horses move better, such a rule “has been stopped dead in committee in spite of evidence by vets and farriers that the practice is harmful.”
Horses lined up to have their shoes put on after competing in the hack. (Photo © by Nancy Jaffer)
Suggestions made during the town hall include requesting a drug test when there is reasonable suspicion about a horse. Mary will talk to USEF about that.
There was also a conversation about using the equine grimace scale for judging. Some judges are uncomfortable calling out lame horses, so this one will require “a lot of conversation.”
Bev Bedard, chair of the USHJA’s stewards committee, said that panel started working on the issues Monday and would welcome comments and ideas for discussion and action.
There was, as there always is, talk about whether stewards should be hired by USEF instead of the shows, so they don’t risk not being rehired by management who takes issue with the way they are doing their job.
Veterinarian Mike Tomlinson, who is also involved in governance, said “Right now, the management considers the riders/trainers/owners to be the customers and the officials must be nice to them. If an official calls out a competitor for abuse, the official is currently often labeled `not good’ and not asked back.”
The U.S. is not, of course, the only country taking steps to deal with SOL.
The European Equestrian Federation reported “initial studies have shown the public has concerns about horse welfare and the overall role of the horse in a sport context. The emphasis is on us to change these opinions, consider how we approach our sport and educate the public to develop a stronger reputation for equestrianism.”
At this point, as the EEF noted, the question becomes how to do that. There is a vast number of people who have formed opinions over a range of experiences, “from those competing or spectating at top sport, to those taking their children for a weekly lesson. Finding the right ways to connect to these different groups and tackling the issues they foresee is part of the challenge.”
Europe’s various equestrian federations have looked into the areas where they have influence, to engage fully and “create changes in perception.”
The German federation has come up with a strategy following a 2022 workshop about social license.
The plan to regain society’s trust and secure it long-term is scheduled initially to run until 2026 and will be adapted and developed along the way.
The Germans are planning, among other things, 100 workshops on the topic of social licensing throughout the country.
In terms of additional action, one key component involves access to the sport, with the German federation supporting riding clubs to source and fund suitable horses, particularly for children to engage and learn.
Another is insuring rules and governance are in place to ensure fair sport, with the horse as an equal partner, and to explain and implement the rules better. The federation also will utilize science to inform decision-making and maintain the best conditions for horses.
At the top end of the sport, performance and welfare will be combined with transparency and open access. Another aspect involves communication, connecting athletes and those inside and outside the sport to understand the importance of horses in society.
With studies showing the public has concerns about horse welfare and the overall role of the horse in a sport context, the emphasis is on changing these opinions, considering how to approach the sport and educate the public.
That requires action on horse welfare, environmental sustainability and the issues on which the public has expressed criticism. It also means showing the public that their criticism has been heard. There is a need for research to determine what changes need to be made on horse welfare and environment.
“There must be continuous active listening, to monitor the opinions and acceptance society has. There must be continuous development within the sport so we adjust and change with an evidence-based approach to the issues. And there must be continuous communication, in an open dialogue to build and maintain trust,” according to the EEF.
by Nancy Jaffer | Feb 1, 2024
The Devon Horse Show and Country Fair will be stretching out to 12 days this spring as it marks 128 years. It will run from May 22-June 2 and offer nearly $1 million in prize money.
You can never get enough of the Deon Horse Show. (Photo © 2023 by Nancy Jaffer)
Starting on a Wednesday instead of a Thursday during its first week will enable the show to end “in a timely manner” each evening, according to its CEO, Wayne Grafton.
The multi-breed show, which spent $1 million for improvements to the ground last year, benefits Bryn Mawr Hospital.
by Nancy Jaffer | Feb 1, 2024
The horse power of the equine industry added $177 billion to the U.S. economy in 2023, according to a useful new survey from the American Horse Council. That’s up from 122 billion in 2017. It affects a variety of sectors, including such obvious segments as agriculture and veterinary services, as well as tourism and technology.
There are 2.2 million jobs linked to horses, everything from farriers and veterinarians to truck drivers, nutritionists and journalists. Even so, the number of horses in the country has dropped over six years, from 7.2 million in 2017 to 6.6 million last year.
The purpose of the survey is to demonstrate the value of the equine industry in the national and state economies by analyzing the direct, indirect, and induced economic impacts of horse ownership, recreation, and equine-related services. The data can be used in connection with investments in equine-related businesses, equine health care, education, land use decisions, tax policy, tourism and employment incentives.
by Nancy Jaffer | Feb 1, 2024
Italy is the first country to pass a law recognizing horses as athletes.
According to the legislation of September 2023, an “athlete horse” has to be registered, cannot be intended for use as food and must be listed with the Italian Equestrian Sports Federation.
This historic decision by the Italian government was discussed Jan. 31 in a conference entitled: “Horse Athlete: protections and prospects,” organized in Bologna by the federation. The session included representatives of the European Equestrian Federation and the International Jumping Riders Club.
Only the Italian Equestrian Federation would meet in a room that looks like one of the country’s many museums,
The concept is expected to pave the way for more legal developments, perhaps in the area of equine transport and veterinary controls. It also could be an important consideration in view of the ever-expanding role of social license to operate. (See the feature story on this website for details of that movement.)
by Nancy Jaffer | Feb 2, 2024
The U.S. Equestrian Federation Monday came out with a new and stronger statement on the suspension of dressage trainer Cesar Parra, as videos that showed him whipping horses and other problematic actions continued to spark outraged comments on social media and led to an FEI investigation.
“The training practices documented in the videos cannot be tolerated in our sport. USEF is steadfast in its commitment to horse well-being and has committed its resources to supporting the FEI in bringing this matter to resolution as expediently as possible,” the federation emphasized.
Noting the clips depicted “abhorrent abusive training techniques by FEI dressage athlete and trainer Cesar Parra (USA) at his private training facility in Florida,” the statement continued, “USEF immediately coordinated with the FEI. The following day, the FEI imposed a temporary suspension against Cesar Parra, which is being enforced by USEF at the national level, prohibiting him and his horses’ participation in competition.
Among other things, the videos show Parra whipping a horse in front of the saddle while he is riding, and whipping another that he is longeing with its head cranked down to its chest.
Cesar Parra in competition. (Photo © 2022 by Nancy Jaffer)
The FEI offered no comment on the specifics of the situation while its investigation is ongoing, but it issued a statement saying, “Equestrian sport is built on a foundation of respect for our equine partners, with a duty of care to ensure their mental and physical well-being comes first, ahead of all competition and/or training ambitions.
“Through the FEI’s Rules and Regulations, the welfare of the horse, and any action or omission which causes or is likely to cause pain or unnecessary discomfort to a horse constitutes a violation of our rules and will be sanctioned. The FEI remains resolute in its commitment to upholding the highest standards of equine welfare and sanctioning behaviour which deviates from these principles, and will be actively investigating this case as a matter of urgency.”
A native of Colombia who rode in the Olympics for that nation, then was part of the U.S. team at the 2011 Pan American Games after getting his American citizenship, Parra did not respond to two requests for comment.
Germany’s professional riders group issued a statement in German saying, “We also saw the terrible videos and images from the USA over the weekend in which horses were mistreated and subjected to massive violence.”
“We want to clearly distance ourselves from … these methods. This has nothing, absolutely nothing, to do with our understanding of horse training. Such images bring the entire equestrian sport into disrepute. All those involved who use these methods that violate animal welfare must be held accountable.
“Where is the respect for the animal? As professional riders, we in particular have a special obligation to the horse and must act as advocates for the horses. What remains for us is to continue to stand up for horse-friendly training with all our might, to teach and practice classical riding theory and thus stand up for our horses and our sport.”
The Parra situation comes on the heels of last year’s scandal involving an undercover television documentary on mistreatment of horses at a Helgstrand Dressage training facility in Denmark. As a result, Olympian Andreas Helgstrand was suspended from the Danish team until at least January 2025.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jan 25, 2024
The Kentucky 5-star three-day event has a new name. Rather than being called the Land Rover event, the successor to the original Rolex title, it is now the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event after one of Land Rover’s models. presented by MARS Equestrian™.
The event at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington April 25-28 is the USEF CCI5*-L Eventing National Championship.
Tamie Smith and Mai Baum over the Defender cross-country obstacle on their way to winning the 2023 Land Rover Kentucky 5-star. (Photo © 2023 by Nancy Jaffer)
Charlotte Blank, U.S. Chief Marketing Officer of JLR North America, said, “We are pleased to continue the title sponsorship of one of the premier equestrian events in the world, the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian.
“The Defender is an ideal partner for the equestrian lifestyle, thanks to its purposeful design and exceptional capability. We look forward to continued relationships with the community and showcasing the Defender lifestyle at future events.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Feb 5, 2024
In a last-minute attempt to save Equestrian Village as a dressage venue in Wellington, Fla., a fund-raising effort has brought in commitments of $25 million.
The Village Council could vote Wednesday on removing the property from the Equestrian Preserve, which would clear the way for construction of housing and recreational amenities for a golf community that developer Wellington Lifestyle Partners is seeking to build. A petition opposing the move drew more than 8,000 signatures and a group called “Keep Wellington Green” is fighting to keep the 96-plus acres in the Preserve.
Dressage rider Arlene “Tuny” Page, who owns a farm in Wellington, said Monday that she started contacting people to see if enough money was available to make an offer for the property, home of the Global Dressage Festival since 2012.
Tuny and Dave Page were first founding sponsors of the Global Dressage Festival. (Photo © by Nancy Jaffer)
The response was immediately positive.
The land to be purchased would include the area where Global’s arenas and a derby jumping field are located, but not the adjacent White Birch polo fields which are also in the Preserve and slated for a golf clubhouse and other golf-related facilities for a nearby course purchased by WLP.
“Go talk about it and see what you can do,” Jane Cleveland, chair of the Equestrian Preserve Committee, had urged Page when they discussed the possibility of a purchase.
Cleveland’s committee in June voted unanimously against taking the land out of the Preserve. The Planning, Zoning and Adjustment Board also recommended against it. Both those committees are only advisory panels, however. It is the five-member Council that has the final word, which comes with a second reading of the ordinance. That process began at a meeting last month and continues this week.
On first reading last year of an ordinance that would permit removing the land from the Preserve, the council voted 4-1 in favor. In order to take acreage out of the preserve, the law requires four of the five council members to vote for it. There have been more than 55 hours of hearings in the last seven months on Wellington North and WLP’s Wellington South proposed development, a short distance away, where the home of the Winter Equestrian Festival hunter/jumper show is located.
In a letter to the Council, Page stated, “I represent an investor group that would like to purchase Equestrian Village to preserve it and enhance it as a multi-use equestrian facility.”
The group includes original investors and founders of the Global Dressage Festival, as well as Robin Parsky, the owner of international show jumping horses who spoke last month before the Council about the importance of the derby field. Among the others are Antonia Ax:son Johnson, a prominent sponsor in the sport and the owner of Olympic dressage horses; Olympic dressage horse owner, Betsy Juliano, and Victoria McCullough, a landowner on property adjoining the Wellington South project.
Robin Parsky spoke before the Wellington Village Council last month about the importance of the derby field at Global.
In her letter, Page mentioned that at a recent meeting with Councilman John McGovern “he stated that the concern of the council is that there is no other group to purchase and operate the property. In less than 48 hours, we have obtained financial commitments for equity and a modest amount of debt of 25 million dollars.”
Page believes that is just “the tip of the iceberg” and that more can easily be raised if necessary. Big checks–$500,000 and $1 million–have been committed, she said. Those who want to contribute may contact her via email at tunefull12@icloud.com.
“There was an indication that the council needed assurance of financial commitments as in `show us the money’ and here we are with many more under consideration,” Page wrote. Her husband, David Page, was able to secure a commitment for loans if necessary from two major financial institutions.
She asked the council to “pause” its consideration of the developments “until you understand the option we put before you, citing is as an opportunity to respect the Preserve and its passionate supporters.”
The derby grounds at Global used by hunters and jumpers. (Photo © by Nancy Jaffer)
Of course, in order for the plan to work, the owner would have to agree to sell. WLP also wants to build a “town center” nearby that would have shopping, offices and a hotel, but that is not part of the Wellington North plan and is not in the Preserve.
Page contended that removing the land for Wellington North from the Preserve would “set a terrible precedent” that could continue with more land being taken out elsewhere along the 9,000 acres of the Preserve that stretches across Wellington.
A crowd always turns out for the Friday night freestyle at Global. (Photo © 2023 by Nancy Jaffer)
Meanwhile, there is a discussion of turning the facility into a non-profit.
“We want it to be a community-friendly plan,” Page said, suggesting it could be a place where young people could learn about horses.
There has been talk of another entity buying the WEF showgrounds on the South parcel, Wellington International, as its owner, Waterland Private Equity, has put it up for sale.
The WEF showgrounds need to be improved and enhanced with more acreage, but no one has stepped up to buy it. The land needed to expand that venue was tied to approval of Wellington North, as necessary acreage on Wellington South has the same ownership. Housing is also planned for part of Wellington South, but there has been no opposition movement to that.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jan 11, 2024
From “Veterinary Care for the Senior Horse” to “Balanced Hoofcare” with a discussion of barefoot vs. shod, the annual horse management seminar Feb. 3 in New Brunswick will answer equestrians’ concerns along the lines of “You asked for it…!”
Presented by the Rutgers Equine Science Center and Rutgers Cooperative Extension, the seminar will be held live after three years of virtual conferences. The program consists of the most requested topics by those who attended the virtual conferences.
“This year, we selected a topic that we have not covered in a long time, if ever. Whether you have racehorses, sport horses, or just like riding horses, there will be something for everyone. We have so many veterinary and nutrition experts and colleagues. I am very excited to be able to have them share their expertise with you” said Dr. Carey Williams, extension equine specialist and associate director of extension for the Rutgers Equine Science Center.
“Our goal for this face-to-face seminar is to bring in the leading veterinary and academic experts in each of these topic areas. This includes caring for and feeding the senior horse, farrier care, emergency management, orthopedic problems and solutions, parasites, and pain.”
Those making the presentations are leading experts in their field. They include Dr. Jessica Martin of Mountain Pointe Equine, who deals with a lot of senior horses in her practice, along with having owned senior horses. Among others is Dr. Nettie Liburt, who owns Liburt Equine Nutrition Consulting. She will present, “Feeding the Senior Horse”. A talk on “Emergency Management” will be presented by another Mountain Pointe Equine veterinarian, Dr. Charlotte Weisberg.
Other topics include a lecture on parasites and ticks and a presentation on physical therapy and other ways to manage orthopedic injuries.
In addition to these presentations, the seminar will feature informational displays, networking opportunities with industry companies and area organizations, ample time for one-on-one discussions with the day’s presenters and door prizes.
Early bird registration ends on Jan. 22, so those planning to attend are encouraged to register before then to secure the discounted rate. The complete program, registration information, and seminar brochure are posted on the Rutgers Equine Science Center website at esc.rutgers.edu, as well as the registration site at: https://go.rutgers.edu/2024HMSReg.
However, those who can’t make it to the live presentation, the program will be available on line on three successive Tuesday evenings; Feb. 13, 20 and 27, from 6:30-8:30 p.m.To register go to: https://go.rutgers.edu/2024VirtualHMSReg
Each webinar will feature two speakers whose presentations will be under the theme of “You asked for it…!”
February 13 is about pasture management, with the topics, “Managing Weeds in Horse Pastures”
by Dr. Matt Elmore, Rutgers University, and “Equipment for Small Horse Farm Pasture Management”
by Dr. Bob Coleman, University of Kentucky.
On Feb. 20, senior horse care is featured with “Feeding the Senior Horse,” presented by Dr. Nettie Liburt of Liburt Equine Nutritional Consulting, and the other topic is “Veterinary Care for the Geriatric Horse”
by Dr. Jessica Martin, Mountain Pointe Equine, Hackettstown, N.J.
On Feb 27, health and welfare is the focus, with“Parasites and Ticks in your Horse” by Dr. Danielle Smarsh of Pennsylvania State University, and “Evaluating Pain in your Horse,” by Dr. Kris Hiney, Oklahoma State University
Attendees can register for one specific webinar night, or for all three at the same time using the same link. The webinars are free to attend. However, to facilitate a more engaged live audience with the speakers, they will not be posted to the archived webinars immediately after the program.
For questions, contact Carey Williams at 848-932-5529, or carey.williams@rutgers.edu.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jan 20, 2024
Ocala’s World Equestrian Center is soaring. With the first U.S. Nations Cup-style League of Nations team competition set for March 20-23, the facility’s visibility is also being raised by introducing World Championship Hunter Rider competition that weekend and Feb. 7-11.
Budget-priced standing-room-only general admission tickets are available at this link for the League of Nations team competition, which will draw squads from 10 countries. For more information go to www.wec.net.
At the same time, the All for the Horses Expo, an equine industry tradeshow, will be held March 22-24 at WEC. It will offer an expanded schedule of events and a larger selection of equestrian and lifestyle vendors than it had last year. General admission and parking for the Expo will be free.WE
The Riding Academy Hotel, a companion to the 5-star hotel already operating on the property, is set to be ready for guests shortly.
Meanwhile, work has begun on a 180,000-square-foot event center set to open in 2025. It will offer meeting and event space, a grand ballroom and four new restaurants, including two rooftop concepts. Additionally, The Shoppes Off 80th, an upscale outdoor shopping venue offering space for 28 new retailers, is slated for completion in 2025.
The University of Florida Health Family Medical Center will offer on-site care for people, just as the University of Florida Veterinary Center that opened in 2022 did for horses.
On the equestrian front, a sixth indoor arena will accommodate an expanded dressage lineup, while seven more outdoor rings are also being constructed.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jan 26, 2024
A decision affecting plans for a much-needed expansion of Wellington, Florida’s, world famous showgrounds has been postponed until at least next month by the Village Council.
The land and funding for the expansion are tied to Wellington Lifestyle Partners’ Wellington North development project. It would involve removing 90-plus acres from the municipality’s Equestrian Preserve, a designation many consider sacrosanct, so a private golf community can be built there.
The showgrounds that is home to the Winter Equestrian Festival is a short distance away, where WLP’s Wellington South project on 290 acres will offer not only more room for the cramped equestrian venue, but also 107 homes. If Wellington North can go ahead, WLP will waive development rights on the acreage needed to extend the showgrounds.
Wellington North is the home of the Global Dressage Festival at Equestrian Village, which would stay at its present site until the new showgrounds is ready.
There are still many questions about the details of the arrangement, as well as exactly what features the showgrounds will include when it has a larger footprint, what that will cost and who will pay for it. There is also great concern that once development is permitted in the Equestrian Preserve, other developers will try to build in it elsewhere in the Village.
Meanwhile, the threat of a well-funded lawsuit and the prospect that some entity might buy the showgrounds (now owned by financially troubled Global Equestrian Group) could add additional wrinkles to the already complicated mix that has included a recall petition against four council members and a petition with more than 8,000 names opposing taking land out of the Equestrian Preserve.
The Council worked past 11 p.m. Thursday, the third day of hearings this week, but could not come up with a date until Feb. 7 for members to move once more toward a final vote on the projects because of their other commitments. (Click here and on this link to read the previous stories about Tuesday and Wednesday’s hearings.)
It takes a vote of four of the five council members to remove land from the Preserve so the development can be built. Meanwhile, two new council members will be elected in March to replace two who are term-limited, so that raises the possibility a final decision could stretch out even longer.
The projects are under the auspices of Wellington Lifestyle Partners, which includes developer NEXUS, former eBay president Jeff Skoll and Wellington Partners Holdings, associated with Mark Bellissimo, who manages Wellington Equestrian Partners.
WEP accumulated the land involved in both projects since Bellissimo took over the Winter Equestrian Festival in 2007. Some have expressed suspicion of Bellissimo, citing promises he has made over the years that weren’t fulfilled on various projects.
{For your convenience in reading this story, here is an acronym glossary: WEP (Wellington Equestrian Partners); GEG (Global Equestrian Group); WEF (Winter Equestrian Festival); WLP (Wellington Lifestyle Partners}
During Thursday’s meeting, which added more than five hours to the 50 hours of hearings and discussion that have been spent on the matter since June, critics and proponents of the plans had what is likely their final say.
“The show is very tired,” Olympic, world championships and World Cup show jumping medalist Rodrigo Pessoa told the council.
Rodrigo Pessoa competing at the Winter Equestrian Festival before the showgrounds became Wellington International. (Photo © by Nancy Jaffer)
“Hopefully, the new group that will come in will do the necessary work to put it back to where it should be. I’m not interested in Mr. Bellissimo’s management or anything else. I have nothing against him if he’s an investor, but the management is really not his forte. Wellington and Tryon (N.C.) have been examples of that.
“Wellington is now on the map for equestrian sports. But we need to keep it improving and up to date, because only three hours north of here, they have done something quite spectacular,” he noted, referring to the World Equestrian Center in Ocala, where estimates are that close to $1 billion has been spent on a vast showgrounds, two hotels and restaurants, with more improvements to come.
“We don’t want to move to Ocala,” Pessoa continued.
“We want to continue and support Wellington. We love coming here, but we want to come to a better facility.”
On the other side, the Wellington Chamber of Commerce sent a note asking the Council to deny the application, saying, “While we continue to support the horse show, taking land from the Equestrian Preserve sets a dangerous precedent, opening the floodgates for anyone with land in the Preserve who may want to increase density in the future.”
Rep. Katherine Waldron, the state representative for District 93, which includes Wellington, sent a letter saying she has heard from many constituents about the issue that has caused “a lot of frustration, anger and angst.”
She added, “I do not think it is in the best interests of our community to push a vote forward at this time and suggest a final vote be delayed to insure our community can come together and have full knowledge of the project and how it will impact our very important internationally renowned equestrian community.”
Part of the delay in reaching a final vote seems to be the Council’s lack of familiarity with equestrian matters.
Jane Cleveland, chair of the Village’s Equestrian Preserve Committee, proposed adding two seats to the Village Council for equestrian representatives. She suggested two district Council seats from the Equestrian Preserve that stretches across 9,000 acres, representing 41 percent of the Village’s developed land and 25 percent of its tax base.
Wellington’s Equestrian Preserve. (The initials SFWMD at the bottom of the diagram stand for South Florida Water Management District.)
Do council members even follow the sport that is Wellington’s claim to fame as the “Winter Equestrian Capital of the World?” It was interesting to hear when they read comment cards submitted by the public to express opposition or support for the project that some prominent names with equestrian connections obviously were not familiar to them.
Interestingly, among those who submitted comment cards supporting the project were Katherine Kaneb, Bellissimo’s ex-wife; their son, Michael; their daughter, Nicole Jayne and Tristan Nunez, the husband of another Bellissimo daughter, Paige, who is executive vice president of WLP. .
